Funding for road safety initiatives welcomed

The Department for Transport revealed money from its Safer Roads Fund is being given to Kent County Council to improve the A252 and A290 in the east of the county. That follows the Prime Minister calling on companies last week to develop new breathalyser equipment for police forces to use on our roads; and announcing a partnership between police forces and the RAC Foundation to trial an innovative approach to road collision investigations.

Mr Scott said:

'As the Gateway to Europe, Kent is a key part of the country's strategic road network.

'Effective roads policing and protecting vulnerable road users are key parts of Safer In Kent, my Police and Crime Plan. Kent Police's excellent Roads Policing Unit has already been expanded to tackle criminality on our streets and this year, thanks to my investment, the team will be boosted again to tackle road safety issues, meaning an increase overall of 16 officers in just over a year.'

Welcoming the forthcoming improvements which will be made to the A252 between Charing and Chilham, and the A290 between Canterbury and Seasalter, the PCC added:

'Road safety is not just a policing issue. It involves education and engineering as well as enforcement. The Government’s investment will make our roads even safer.

'I will continue to work with Kent Police and other agencies such as our councils and Kent Fire and Rescue Service to help keep Kent a safe place to live, work and visit.'